New Delhi: A new generation of youth leaders from across India is stepping onto the global stage, with 500 changemakers shortlisted for the next round of the Changemakers World Cup (CWC), a nationwide initiative to discover and celebrate India’s most impactful young minds. The announcement was made during the Green Skills @ 2047 event at the United Nations House in New Delhi.
The contest, organized by 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), has drawn participation from over 2,500 students, innovators, and grassroots leaders working on pressing issues such as climate action, social equity, education, mental health, and technology for good. From this pool, the top 100 finalists will be selected to represent India at the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit at the United Nations in Geneva this November.
Participation spanned both urban hubs and smaller towns, with entries pouring in from Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Gangtok, Kangra, and even Kashmir. Schools and colleges made a strong mark, with institutions like Mayoor Public School (Noida), Delhi Public School (Bengaluru East), and Gwalior Glory High School among the standout participants.
The World Cup featured two tracks — Young Changemakers (under 18) and Pro Changemakers (18 and above) — with individuals and teams competing under the themes Act for Change, Speak for Change, and Create for Change. Designed in a mission-based, gamified format, the competition encouraged creativity and impact.
Highlights included Letters for Change, where participants wrote open letters challenging unsustainable practices, and Circularity in Action, which mobilized communities to collect tons of e-waste and clothing for recycling. The top 500 emerged based on their performance across seven missions and will now face knockout challenges in the coming weeks.
Manav Subodh, Founder & Chief Mentor of 1M1B, described the initiative as a bridge between India’s youth and global platforms:
“With the Changemakers World Cup, our vision is to democratize opportunity, enabling young innovators from every corner of India to present their solutions on global platforms like the United Nations. This reflects India’s commitment to nurturing inclusive leadership and placing youth at the forefront of climate and social impact.”
The winners will showcase their innovations at the 9th edition of the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit at the United Nations in Geneva, November 2025. Over the past decade, this summit has grown into a globally recognized forum where young leaders present their work before diplomats, policymakers, corporate leaders, and UN representatives.
